The theme of this album was inspired by the mythical cosmology of the ancient Mayans, about death and the netherworld (Xibalbá), which can be found in the sacred book of Popol Vuh and in the prophecies of Chilam Balam de Chumayel. In this cosmology, the universe is composed of three great strata: heaven, earth and netherworld. Heaven was conceived as a 13-level pyramid; the earth, as a square board; and the netherworld as a 9-level inverted pyramid. Life and death, creation and destruction coexisted and complemented each other in a dynamic and necessary opposition. These cycles developed in this stratified cosmic space, kept by branches, trunks and roots of a gigantic sap, the sacred tree (Yaxcha), whose branches raise up to the skies and its roots penetrate the netherworld. The trunk of this tree represents the world where human beings dwell. Yaxcha, located in the centre of the universe, connected the cosmic levels, and it was also the place of the primordial act of creation. The netherworld, also known as Xibalbá, Mitnal or Underworld, was an obscure cosmic region, a physical subterranean place which could be accessed through rivers, water sources, cenotes, rocky pits and caves. This place was inhabited and commanded by the death gods. It was the place where the souls of the dead wandered in search of rebirth. The Mayans believed in the afterlife as an essential part of a perennial cycle of creation, destruction and renewal. The souls of the dead should go through Xibalbá in order to join the ancestors, thus ensuring the renewal of the universe. Thus, the netherworld was conceived as the realm of death, obscurity and darkness (Akbal), although the Sun would pass through it everyday during nighttime. This realm of desolation and suffering was also a source of eternal life and rebirth. Through the gloomy pathways to Xibalbá, evil creatures lurked, committed to tormenting and destroying humans. However there were also generating forces that sprouted plants and provided solid ground for the forests’ gigantic trees. Xibalbá does not represent eternal suffering, as in the christian Hell, but a stage in human existence that must be overcome in order to reach a higher level. The journey to Xibalbá teaches us that we must have strength and courage to deeply submerge, in a certain moment of life, in the obscure, destructive, gloomy, anguished and painful side of human existence, so that we can experience death while still alive, because only in the “netherworld of the soul” can we understand what we really are. This experience will transform you into a reborn person, initiated in the mysteries of Xibalbá. Technical info: Recorded, mixed and mastered at BroadBand Studio, Brazil, between April and December of 2013. Produced by Caio Duarte & Miasthenia. All songs composed by Miasthenia. All lyrics written by Hecate. Clean vocals on tracks 3, 4, 5 and 8 by Thormianak and Hécate. Screams on “Tok’yah” (1º chorus of track 3) and “Enthroned in death” (at the end of track 5) by V. Digger, Thormianak and Caio Duarte. Art and layout: AbacrombieINK & Pestmeester. English translation: Fernanda De Marchi. Miasthenia would to specially thank Caio Duarte & BroadBand Studio, Drakkar Productions and everyone who somehow has helped in the making of this album . Strength and honour forever! MIASTHENIA: Hécate – Vocals and Keys Thormianak – Guitar and Bass V. Digger – Drums Bonus track: Onde sangram pagãs memórias (Where pagan memories bleed) Celebrating 20 years of existence, Miasthenia has released this bonus track that represents an important moment of their career. This song is part of the album XVI, recorded at Blue Records studio in 2000. Remixed, remastered and vocals re-recorded at BroadBand Studio in 2013. Miasthenia line-up in the album XVI: Hécate (lyrics, vocals and keys), Thormianak (guitar), Mist (bass) and Mictlantecutli (drums). Info and contact: www.facebook.com/miasthenia